Synopsis
In a small apartment in Mandaluyong, Lara Domingo, 34, thought love would feel like partnership. Instead, it felt like budgeting — counting coins, excuses, and patience. Her boyfriend, Jonas, 30, had once been ambitious. But now, he seemed allergic to stability, surviving on side hustles and Lara’s quiet generosity.
Through the months, Lara learns how love can disguise dependency, and how “helping” can sometimes be a form of self-betrayal. By the time she returns home to the province, she must face the truth: she has been financing someone else’s denial.
It’s a story of emotional labor, cognitive dissonance, and rediscovering one’s sense of worth — in pesos, time, and self-respect.
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Cast of Characters
Lara Domingo (Protagonist)
Role: Marketing professional, 34
Behavior patterns: Empathetic, conflict-avoidant, practical
Core motivation: To maintain peace and prove that love can be both emotional and responsible
Jonas Rivera (Antagonist / Partner)
Role: Freelancer, 30
Behavior patterns: Idealistic but inconsistent, defensive, ego-driven
Core motivation: To protect his pride and avoid confronting his failures
Mia Torres (Friend / Confidant)
Role: Lara’s college best friend
Behavior patterns: Blunt, sarcastic, emotionally intelligent
Core motivation: To keep Lara grounded and remind her of her self-worth
Tita Cel (Mentor Figure)
Role: Lara’s aunt, retired teacher
Behavior patterns: Observant, old-fashioned, values independence
Core motivation: To see Lara regain her balance and sense of self
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Normal World
Before Jonas, Lara’s life was quiet, predictable, and slightly lonely. Living in her parents’ provincial home, she spent her evenings scrolling through job listings and podcasts about emotional intelligence. Her life was structured — no chaos, no surprises. She believed love, when it arrived, would simply fit into her schedule like a new app subscription: low maintenance, auto-renewing, manageable.
When she began dating Jonas — her former officemate — she admired his creativity and confidence. He talked about breaking free from “corporate slavery.” She admired that. It took months before she realized his “freedom” meant “no income.”
